Reviews

From Hell by Alan Moore

rach_eb's review against another edition

4.0

I've never read a book quite like this. I would classify this book as a misogynist horror graphic novel. Not that the author is a misogynist, but the views of the period that drive this story's Jack the Ripper are incredibly chilling. The terrifying mysoginy combined with the Masonic elements make for a truly creepy read. I commend both the author for his carefully researched story and the illustrator for his dark, dirty drawing that so perfectly suit the London of the 1880s.

I give it 4 rather than 5 stars for a couple of reasons. Though "Jack's" diatribe on the architecture and mythological history of London and the Masons draws to a frightening conclusion, it made for a long, dull read that I had to slog through. Also, I could enjoy this story fully because I am very familiar with the Jack the Ripper killings. For someone who is less familiar, this book would be extremely confusing. I would recommend for those interested in and familiar with the case.

ktxx22's review against another edition

DNF at 13%. After having read about the 5 women that were murdered by Jack the Ripper I can’t read this especially since the facts a wrong. Don’t want perpetuate that false narrative

kurtwombat's review against another edition

5.0

Some time back I watched the movie based upon this graphic novel. It left me confused and disappointed (I could go on about unfortunate casting choices but I won’t). Since then I’ve wanted to read the graphic novel to get my footing back. Through maybe the first quarter of FROM HELL I was still confused and disappointed but then things clicked. I sunk into the atmosphere, felt a part of 1880’s London and was moved by the rhythms of poverty and power grappling in darkness. The dingy but distinct art work adds to the feel for old timey, grimy London. I have read complaints that the characters are difficult to tell apart. I did have some issues but for the most part enough clues were given to keep things straight (this can be an issue for any graphic novel not dealing with superheroes). This may have been designed to add to the anonymity of the poor as the more well off characters are much easier to distinguish. The artist Eddie Campbell also had to deal with period detail and an extensive dive into 1880’s London architecture and geography—his work highlighting a fantastic insanity laced jaunt around night time London touring the touchstones of Masonic power. In fact, this sequence is when I felt totally locked into the book. I tapped into Dr. Gull’s madness and the inevitability of it’s expression. At 3 or 4 lbs and over 500 pages it is an immersion. Moore masterfully unfolds this complicated tale of madness. There is no rush in the story, unfolding naturally, in rich mostly historical detail. The infamous murders at the heart of this story don’t come close to overshadowing the rest—and there is no rush to them or from them. Following the graphic novel there is 43 oversized addendum pages detailing where most every thoroughly researched detail in the graphic novel came from. This is so well done it’s like watching a making of documentary after a film. Moore tells you what is fact, what is interpretation and what is created to flesh out a readable tale. Fascinating. Then that is followed by a spirited gathering in graphic form of Moore and the authors of his resource materials battling the demons that arose from  handling the subject matter. All marvelous stuff and a great way to wrap this story up.

 

 

oboemeister's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense

5.0

mmmmmmmbooks's review against another edition

I suppose the writing is excellent, and I love the art. I'm just so done with Jack the Ripper POV stuff. As I move out of my edgy teen/new adult edgelord era, I'm feeling like perhaps we as a society should give victims more of a voice over their murderers.

tweedlesmart's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Gore

_bee_'s review

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.5

rspades's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

zeraphyr's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jbmorgan86's review against another edition

4.0

This is the most detailed and complex graphic novel you will ever read. Alan Moore creates a story based on a particular theory of Jack the Ripper. The novel is filled with primary sources about the murderers. Moore includes a huge cast of characters, cameos from nearly every famous person in London at that time (Alister Crowley, the Elephant Man, Oscar Wilde, etc.), numerous details about the city of London, and information about the Masons. Moore definitely did his homework. Particularly interesting is his use of time and the "fourth dimension."

The artwork fits the darkness perfectly. Every drawing looks like it occurs at night, in the rain. Some of the artwork is quite gruesome and disturbing, but fantastic nonetheless.

This "comic book" is truly a great piece of literature.